HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-01-TCC-min Town Celebrations Committee
Minutes of Meeting
March 1, 2023
By Zoom Teleconference
Members Present
Geetha Padaki and Glen Bassett, Co-Chairs; Sudha Balasuryan, Steve Cole, Kevin Collins, Linda
Dixon, Yifang Gong, Dave Grabel, Mary Hutton, Cerise Jalelian, Sondra Lucente, Sandy
Podgorski, Kristen Pulkkinen, Ashley Rooney, Sue Stering, Hong Xie.
Members not Present
Dabby Harter, Gresh Lattimore, Lorain Marquis, Julie Miller
Guests
Sandhya Iyer, Director, Department of Economic Development; Claudia Quigley, prospective
member
Business
• Co-Chair Geetha Padaki opened the meeting, read the required Zoom language, and declared
that a quorum was present.
• Approval of the meeting minutes of February 8, 2023 was postponed until next meeting.
Budget
Glen: we are assuming $50,000 for parade units and $8,000 for all other parade-related expenses.
Dance Around the World: March 18— Sudha Balasuryan
• Ten groups have now committed to perform.
• The LHS Gym now reserved from 12 noon to 10 pm. Custodian budget might increase
slightly as a result.
• Members encouraged to spread the word, attend, volunteer to help.
Sponsorship
The Town has approved the sponsor list and letters have gone out.
Parade Planning Unit Approval Update- Steve Cole
• Following our new approach, the Parade Working Group has approved and sent an
acceptance package to all applying marching units who 1)participated in the parade last
year; and 2)requested the same fee as last year. Total asking fees: $52,375.
• There are still 23 units from last year who have not yet sent in their application.
Estimated asking fees: $6,000. The working group is following up with them.
• There are 7 new units this year that look very attractive. The Parade working group
would like to find a way to include them: Total asking fees: $5,700.
Questions and Discussion
• In a review of the accepted units, there were no objections.
• Several members noted that a few units yet to apply were asking high prices relative to
the small number of marchers, and perhaps some negotiation would be in order.
• Last year there were 84 marching units in the Parade. The parade lineup area can
accommodate a maximum of 90 units. It's looking like we'll be around 85 units.
Stakeholder Meeting
• Sandy's calendar of events was distributed.
• The web page is up and running and incorporates the calendar.
• The Wm Diamond, Jr. Fife and Drum Corps will perform at Tower Park on Saturday,
April 15, at 2:30 p.m.
• Sandhya Iyer is offering support on Saturday with some children's activities, for
example, on the Visitors Center lawn.
• Glen will set up working group: Glen, Sandy, Ashley, Mary, Kristen, Yifang. What
might be done this year, and what more extensively could be done in the future.
• Kevin has met with DPW and resolved the number and location of Port-a-potties.
• Sandhya confirmed that the Visitors Center will be open by 5:30 a.m. and will remain
open throughout the day to provide handicapped toilet access.
• Kevin suggests we take a usage count for future ordering and planning.
Morning Youth Parade
• Mary has prepared a letter to send to church groups, urging more youth groups to
participate in the parade.
• Good opportunity for Sandhya Iyer to sponsor a youth activity.
Rotary Club Lunch Speaker Invitation
• Linda and Lorain will be the program speakers at the March 27 Rotary Club meeting.
• Their topic: the behind-the-scenes work of TCC in putting Patriots' Weekend together.
• Geetha suggested showing the committee's promotional video and will send to Linda.
• All ideas welcome.
Meetings Back in Person After March 31
• Geetha announced that, starting March 31, committee meetings will be held in person.
• A quorum of 7 voting members, including a Co-Chair, must be present in person.
• Meetings will be hybrid to permit virtual attendance.
• There are 6 more scheduled meetings until summer break.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Next meeting March 8, 2023.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Dixon